Summertime brings special challenges for families whose children have special needs. Some medical conditions and medications make individuals particularly susceptible to the heat. Be sure to check with your doctor Read More
Category: Your Young Persons Disability
Information on different disabilities to better inform you.
Traumatic Brain Injury in Youth
A Brief Overview Full Article A traumatic brain injury (TBI) is an injury that affects how the brain works. TBI can affect people of all ages and backgrounds. The exact Read More
Disability and Sexual Health Education
A Brief Overview Full Article Parents or guardians are the first and primary sexual health educators of children. What parents and caregivers believe, say, and do can have a powerful Read More
Advocacy Tips for Parents
When a child has a disability, parents often learn that getting their child’s needs met requires persistence, organization, and advocacy. Advocacy is an action. A person is an advocate when Read More
Adolescent Health Care Act Provides Options for Families Seeking Mental Health and Substance Use Help for Young People Resistant to Treatment
A Brief Overview The Adolescent Behavioral Health Care Access Act, passed into law by the Washington Legislature in 2019, gives parents and providers more leverage in treating a young person Read More
Supported Decision Making is an Option for Adults with Disabilities
A Brief Overview Full Article When a young person turns 18, most decisions are now up to them. In Washington State, age 18 is the “age of majority,” which means Read More
Families Who Receive In-Home Care Services: Take Note of 2022 Changes
A Brief Overview Everyone who gets state-funded in-home care in Washington is affected by a new employment structure for Individual Providers (IPs). The Consumer Direct Care Network of Washington (CDWA) Read More
Willa Discovers Telehealth
Students: Get Ready to Participate in Your IEP Meeting with a Handout for the Team
Students of all abilities have the right to a solid education to get ready for adult life. Students with Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) have a right to participate in IEP Read More
I want the kind with the people and the pictures
By John O’Brien After a Difficult Start… Institutionalized from age three to twenty-three in a place where “they treated us like animals”– Mike has composed a good life, taking many Read More
A Mother Shares her Personal Journey of Welcoming a Baby with Down Syndrome
By Elizabeth Paschich The news that my son had Down syndrome came at a bad time. I was pregnant with our 6th child, and my husband and I were not Read More
DDA Access Series 1 Eligibility
Things I Wish I Knew on Folic Acid
As a mom of a child with Spina Bifida there are a lot of things I wish I knew. Like I wish I knew I was going to have such Read More
My Child, the Athlete: Coaching a Child with Hidden Disabilities
Over 30 million youth between the ages of 5-18 participate in youth sports every year. Some of the most common hidden disabilities are Specific Learning Disabilities, Speech and Language, Attention Read More
Positive Behavior Supports: Continuing the model at home and in the community
By: Dr. Vanessa Tucker, PhD., BCBA-D What is Positive Behavior Support? Positive Behavior Support (PBS) is a special education initiative that informs school districts, schools and classrooms regarding prevention and Read More